Quebec’s unions have come out strongly against Bill 89, which they see as an attack on organized labour.

The proposed legislation would allow the provincial government to limit and end strikes or lockouts if necessary to maintain minimum services in schools and municipalities.

During a study of the bill by a parliamentary committee, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) and the 330,000-member Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) called for its withdrawal.

“The current bill is a blatant attack on the right to strike and collective bargaining,” said CSQ President Éric Gingras.

According to CSN President Caroline Senneville, the legislation would undermine the ultimate bargaining tool — strike action — which is the last resort and leverage workers have to negotiate improvements to their working conditions.